Signal processing method, signal processing apparatus, signal processing system, and machine readable storage medium storing control information of signal processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A signal processing apparatus capable of easily linking video data of a DVCR connected by an i-Link or the like and utilizing the same in a desired format is disclosed. Streaming data such as video data is defined, managed, and controlled in usage by an “optional-media” link tag linked to a “gpoi” tag defining a specific position in a position information file. The “optional-media” link can describe the five attributes of a format attribute for designating a connected apparatus and format information thereof, id attribute for further specifying the target in the connected apparatus designated by the format attribute, an “in” attribute and “out” attribute for designating a reproduction start position and ending position of the designated data, and a repeat attribute for designating a number of times of reproduction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/888,260, filed on Jul. 31, 2007; which is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 10/203,535, filed on Aug. 9, 2002; which is anational phase entry under 35 U.S.C § 371 of PCT/JP01/11538, filed onDec. 27, 2001, which claims priority from Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. P2000-398,487, filed Dec. 27, 2000, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a signal processing method, a signalprocessing apparatus, a signal processing system, and a machine readablestorage medium storing control information of a signal processingapparatus enabling easy control and use of a video cassette recorder,television tuner, or other signal processing apparatus for example videodata, reception signals of a television broadcast, and other processingsignals which are not usually managed in a file system.

BACKGROUND ART

Due to the advances made in reducing the small and improving theperformance of information apparatuses or electronic informationtechnology such as digitization of information, various signalprocessing apparatuses, specifically various AV apparatuses, datarecording and/or reproducing apparatuses, communication apparatus,information processing apparatuses, etc. have become popular.

These apparatuses and apparatuses manage data and signals by variousmethods.

For example, computers and other information processing apparatuses,storage apparatuses using disk-like storage media as storage media, etc.often use a so-called file system for managing files by a directorystructure so as to manage data organized in units of files. This filesystem can specify a file by designating a path or URL.

On the other hand, there is no concept of a file in for example videodata recorded by a camcorder or signals of a television broadcast. Theseare often managed as a series of stream data by a specific signal formatdepending upon the content thereof.

Along with the spread of the above various types of informationprocessing apparatuses and signal processing apparatuses, there isrising demand for linking apparatuses which have been operatedindependently up until now so as to use them comprehensively. Namely,demand is rising for freely exchanging data among all of the variousapparatuses, centrally managing the data, or getting the variousapparatuses to cooperate and link together to perform desiredinformation processing and provision of information.

Up until now, however, no technique has been established for efficientlyand simply linking the data management environments of file systems orthe management environments of specific signal formats. Centralmanagement of such data was not possible. For example, under the presentcircumstances it is difficult to handle an apparatus connected to acontrol device basically managed by a file system by a control terminalor i-Link and signals handled on the apparatus in the same way asordinary file data by software in the control device—it is barelypossible to fetch data by outputting commands to an I/O device.

This becomes an obstacle when constructing a more efficient informationsystem by linking various information and data. Improvement is desired.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a signal processingmethod and a signal processing apparatus for enabling easy linkage,management, and usage in a desired form of signals which are handled ina signal processing apparatus connected by for example a controlterminal or i-Link and usually not managed by the file system, forexample, video data and television signals.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a signalprocessing system for easily linking, centrally managing, and using in adesired form the various signals handled in such a signal processingapparatus.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a machinereadable storage medium storing control information of the signalprocessing apparatus for enabling easy linkage, management, and usage inthe desired form of such data.

In order to achieve the above objects, a signal processing methodaccording to the present invention has the steps of setting controlinformation describing for any signal first information for specifying asignal format of that signal and second information for specifying adesired part of that signal and controlling an apparatus for processingthe signal based on the set control information to obtain the signal ofthe specified desired part of the signal.

Preferably, the control information further has information indicatingany location linked with the desired part of the signal, and theapparatus for processing the signal is controlled to give the signal ofthe specified desired part when the linked location is selected.

More preferably, selection of the linked location includes a case wherea location for obtaining the signal of the specified desired partbecomes within a predetermined range of the linked location.

Specifically, the control information further includes third informationfor specifying the model of the apparatus for processing the signal.

More specifically, the control information further includes fourthinformation for identifying the information provided by the signal.

More specifically, the second information includes predeterminedphysical parameter information needed for specifying the desired part ofthe signal.

More specifically, the control information further includes informationof the number of times of repeated output of the desired part of thesignal.

Further specifically, the third information is information capable ofspecifying a broadcaster side of television or radio when the signal isa broadcast signal of television or radio.

Further specifically, the physical parameter information is informationindicating a time code, track number, or sector number of the recordedsignal when the signal is a signal recorded on any storage medium.

Further specifically, the physical parameter information is informationindicating a channel or frequency of television or radio when the signalis a broadcast signal of television or radio.

Further, a signal processing apparatus according to the presentinvention has a control information setting means for setting a desiredpart of any signal by control information describing first informationfor specifying a signal format of the signal and second information forspecifying the related desired part and a controlling means forcontrolling the apparatus for processing the signal based on the setcontrol information to obtain the signal of the desired part.

Specifically, the controlling means controls the apparatus forprocessing the signal based on the control information to make theapparatus output the signal of the specified desired part.

More specifically, the controlling means further has an outputting meansfor controlling the apparatus for processing the signal based on thecontrol information to acquire the signal of the specified desired partfrom the apparatus and output the acquired signal of the desired part.

Preferably, the apparatus is further provided with a location detectingmeans for detecting the location of the signal processing apparatus anda displaying means for displaying the detected location.

More preferably, the displaying means displays information indicatingthe location of the signal processing apparatus overlaid on mapinformation of the surroundings of the location of the signal processingapparatus.

More preferably, the control information is stored on a detachablecard-like storage medium, and the control information setting meansreads the control information from the card-like storage medium to setthe read control information.

Further, a signal processing system according to the present inventionhas a first signal processing apparatus for processing any signal and asecond signal processing apparatus which is a signal processingapparatus for performing desired signal processing and has a controlinformation setting means for setting a desired part of the signalprocessed in the first signal processing apparatus by controlinformation describing first information for specifying the signalformat of the signal and second information for specifying the relateddesired part and a controlling means for controlling the first signalprocessing apparatus based on the set control information to output thesignal of substantially the specified desired part.

Specifically, the first signal processing apparatus is a data recordingapparatus for any tape-like storage medium including audio tapes andvideo tapes.

More specifically, the first signal processing apparatus is any wavereceiving apparatus including television broadcast waves and radiobroadcast waves.

More specifically, the second signal processing apparatus is anavigation apparatus mounted in a mobile unit.

More specifically, the second signal processing apparatus is a computerapparatus.

Further, a machine readable storage medium storing control informationof the signal processing apparatus according to the present inventionstores control information describing for any signal first informationfor specifying the signal format of the signal and second informationfor specifying a desired part of the signal by a predetermined formatand controlling the signal processing apparatus to obtain the signal ofthe specified desired part.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the configuration of a navigation system ofan embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the detailed configuration of a memorystick of the navigation system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view of a concrete example of a position information file.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining operation of the navigation systemshown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a view explaining a screen display indicating a state whereexternal data can be linked in the navigation system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a view of another concrete example of the position informationfile.

FIG. 7 is a view of a modification of the navigation system shown inFIG. 1.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained nextreferring to the attached drawings.

An explanation will be made of an embodiment of the present inventionreferring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 5.

In the present embodiment, the present invention will be explained byillustrating a car mounted navigation system for displaying a map of thesurroundings of a driven location on an LCD screen and guiding thedriver to his destination, particularly a navigation system designed todisplay an image related to the position, that is, an image of aspecific portion of a video tape set in a connected digital videocassette tape recorder (DVCR), when reaching the surroundings of thepredetermined position set in advance.

First, an explanation will be made of the configuration of thenavigation system by referring to FIG. 1.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the configuration of a navigation system100.

The navigation system 100 has a navigation apparatus 110, memory stick130, and digital video cassette tape recorder (DVCR) 140.

The navigation apparatus 110 has a CPU 111, bus 112, ROM 113, RAM 114,operation button unit 115, operation unit 116, LCD controller 117, LCD118, CD-ROM drive 119, CD-ROM controller 120, DV-IF unit 121, GPSreception unit 122, gyro 123, and MS-IF unit 124.

Below, the configurations of the components will be explained.

The CPU 111 controls the components so that the navigation apparatus 110performs a desired operation as a whole.

First, the CPU 111 performs processing as the navigation apparatus.Specifically, it calculates the information such as the position,advancing direction, and advancing speed of the vehicle based on GPSreceived information input from the GPS reception unit 122 and detecteddirection information input from the gyro 123. Then, it controls theCD-ROM controller 120 so as to read out suitable map information(sometimes also referred to as the position information) from the CD-ROMdrive 119 based on the calculation result. Further, it controls the LCDcontroller 117 so that the read out map is suitably displayed on the LCD118 in a suitable direction.

Further, the CPU 111 performs processing for providing additionalinformation with respect to the driving position to a driver when thevehicle reaches the surroundings of a predetermined position set inadvance. Specifically, the CPU 111 detects the position of the vehicleas mentioned above, has the LCD 118 display the map information on thesurroundings thereof, and then searches through the position informationfiles stored in the memory stick 130 to check if any positioninformation file is set with respect to the interior of the area whosemap was displayed on the LCD 118. When any position information file hasbeen set, it searches for additional information linked to that positioninformation file and displays it on the LCD 118.

At this time, as the data linked to the position information file, thereis a case where the information in the navigation apparatus 110, forexample, the information stored in the CD-ROM drive 119 and memory stick130, is linked, and a case where the data of an outside apparatus suchas the DVCR 140 is linked. In the case of the former linkage, the datais specified by a path designation according to the file system in thenavigation apparatus 110, therefore the CPU 111 may read this anddisplay it via the LCD controller 117 on the LCD 118.

On the other hand, the latter linkage is a link to data to the outsideapparatus out of the file system which cannot be designated according tosuch a path designation. In the navigation apparatus 110, the case wherevideo data stored on media on the DVCR 140 connected via the DV-IF unit121 is referred to corresponds to this case. Note that, hereinafter,such a link to an outside apparatus will be referred to as an “optionalmedia link”.

When extracting such data, special control in accordance with the mediaand apparatus is necessary for each data. Also, the method ofdesignation of the data has always been different for every type of dataup to now. In the navigation apparatus 110, however, even such data isdesignated in a common format position information file.

For this purpose, the CPU 111 analyzes any description of that optionalmedia link in the position information file read out from the memorystick 130, supplies control information unique to the apparatus to thecorresponding device controller, and requests the linked desired data.

Then, when the data is input, by similarly controlling the devicecontroller and by performing processing by itself, the CPU 111 displaysthe data on the LCD 118 via the LCD controller 117 after converting thedata to a signal of a format which can be handled inside the navigationapparatus 110.

Note that the method of description of the optional media link of thisposition information file according to the present invention will beexplained in detail later.

The bus 112 is a system bus in the navigation apparatus 110 forconnecting the CPU 111 and the components.

The ROM 113 is the memory storing a processing program for the CPU 111to execute processing such as the navigation as mentioned above orprovision of desired additional information and stores parameters to bereferred to in the components at that time etc.

The RAM 114 is a memory for storing data generated by the CPU 111 andthe components, data in processing, etc. similarly when such processingis executed.

The operation button unit 115 is an originally provided operating meansto be operated by the user of the navigation apparatus 110.

The operation unit 116 detects the operation of the operation buttonunit 115 by the user, generates a signal based on the operation content,and outputs the same to a predetermined component based on the operationcontent such as the CPU 111 or LCD controller 117.

The LCD controller 117 is a controller for displaying map information(position information) and additional information input via the bus 112from the CPU 111, CD-ROM controller 120, DV-IF unit 121, etc. on the LCD118.

The LCD 118 is a liquid crystal display device controlled by the LCDcontroller 117 and displays the input desired image data. Morespecifically, the image data read from a CD-ROM mounted on the CD-ROMdrive 119 via the CD-ROM controller 120, image data reproduced in theDVCR 140 via the DV-IF unit 121, etc. are displayed on the LCD 118.

The CD-ROM drive 119 is loaded with a CD-ROM medium having the mapinformation and any additional information, searches through the mountedCD-ROM medium in accordance with a request from the CD-ROM controller120, and retrieves and outputs the map information of the desired areaand additional information.

The CD-ROM controller 120 controls the CD-ROM drive 119 based on arequest from the CPU 111 to acquire the map information of the desiredarea and additional information and outputs the same to the LCDcontroller 117.

The DV-IF unit 121 is an interface with the DVCR 140 connected by thei-Link and a signal processing unit. The DV-IF unit 121 controls theDVCR 140 based on a command from the CPU 111, reads out thepredetermined data from the DVCR 140, and outputs the same to the LCDcontroller 117.

The GPS reception unit 122 receives a GPS wave, generates data fordetecting the position of the vehicle based on the received signal, andoutputs the same to the CPU 111.

The gyro 123 detects the advancing direction of the vehicle and outputsa signal indicating the direction to the CPU 111.

The MS-IF unit 124 is an interface controlled by the CPU 111 andcommunicates with the memory stick 130.

Specifically, the MS-IF unit 124 communicates with the memory stick 130via three signal lines of a first signal line (SCLK) for transmitting aclock, a second signal line (SDIO) for transfer of data, and a thirdsignal line (SS) for transmitting status.

The memory stick 130 is a detachable card type storage medium loaded inthe navigation apparatus 110. In the navigation apparatus 110 of thepresent embodiment, particularly position information files forcontrolling the display of the additional information are stored and areaccessed in accordance with the position of the vehicle.

The configuration of the memory stick 130 will be explained in detailnext by referring to FIG. 2.

The memory stick 130 has a control IC 131, flash memory 132, and a writeprotect switch 133. Further, the control IC 131 has a serial/parallelparallel/serial (S/P P/S) interface sequencer 134, page buffer 135,flash interface sequencer 136, ECC encoder/decoder 137, register 138,and attribute ROM 139.

The S/P P/S interface sequencer 134 of the control IC 131 communicateswith the MS-IF unit 124 of the navigation apparatus 110, receives theclock signal SCLK and status signal SS, and transfers the data SDIO.

More specifically, it receives the data SDIO transmitted from thenavigation apparatus 110 and converts the same to parallel data insynchronization with the serial clock SCLK. Then, if the converted datais a command, it outputs this to the register 138, while if theconverted data is data, it outputs this to the page buffer 135.

Further, it converts the transmission data to the navigation apparatus110 input from the page buffer 135 or the like to a serial data andtransmits the same via the data line SDIO to the navigation apparatus110.

The page buffer 135 of the control IC 131 is a memory for storing thedata input from the control IC 131 in units of pages (512 bytes). Thedata stored in the page buffer 135 is given an error correction code bythe ECC encoder/decoder 137 and then stored via the flash interfacesequencer in the flash memory 132.

Further, the page buffer 135 stores the data read from the flash memory132 via the flash interface sequencer 136. Then, after the errorcorrection by the ECC encoder/decoder 137, the data is suitably outputto the S/P P/S interface sequencer 134.

The flash interface sequencer 136 stores the page units of data storedin the page buffer 135 in the flash memory 132 in accordance with arequest and reads out the page units of data stored in the flash memory132 and stores them in the page buffer 135.

The ECC encoder/decoder 137 adds an error correction code to the data tobe stored in the flash memory 132 stored in the page buffer 135.Further, it applies the error correction processing to the data read outfrom the flash memory 132 stored in the page buffer 135.

The register 138 generates a control command based on command data inputfrom the S/P P/S interface sequencer 134. For example, when receiving aread status register command for viewing the operation state of thememory stick 130, the register 138 detects the settings of the erroneouserase prevention switch 133 and sets the settings thereof in theregister. Then, it transmits the content of this register via the S/PP/S interface sequencer 134 to the navigation apparatus 110. Theattribute ROM 139 is a memory having information such as versioninformation of the memory stick 130 and initial settings stored therein.The information of the initial settings stored in this attribute ROM 139is read out based on a control command generated at the register 138 thefirst time the memory stick 130 was loaded in the navigation apparatus110 and is used for the settings of the units in the memory stick 130.

The flash memory 132 is a memory unit for actually storing the positioninformation files and additional information.

The write protect switch 133 is a switch for restricting writeoperations of data to the flash memory 132 so that data stored in thememory stick 130 will not be erased.

The DVCR 140 is a consumer digital video cassette tape recorder of theSD type for handling NTSC signals. The DVCR 140 is connected to thenavigation apparatus 110 via the DV-IF unit 121, reproduces the desiredvideo data based on a request from the DV-IF unit 121 based on a controlsignal input from the CPU 111, and outputs the same to the DV-IF unit121.

The navigation system 100 has such a configuration.

Next, an explanation will be made of the position information filesstored in the memory stick 130 and utilized for the display etc. ofadditional information in the LCD 118 as explained above by referring toFIG. 3.

Note that, as mentioned above, as the data linked to the positioninformation files, there are files which can be designated by path inthe navigation apparatus 110 and external data linked by an optionalmedia link. Here, an explanation will be made of a position informationfile in which external data is designated by an optional media link.

FIG. 3 is a view of an example of that position information file.

The first row to the third row show and set the format etc. of thedescription of this position information file. For example, it is sethere that this position information file has a format using XML(eXtensible Markup Language).

The fourth row to the seventh row are “format” tags describing the usedmeasurement system, coordinate system, person who prepared theinformation, information preparation date, etc.

The “gpoi” tags of the eighth row to the 17th row are descriptions fordefining a specific position.

The “index” tag of the ninth row is a search tag for describing positioninformation having a latitude and a longitude, information indicatingthe type of the position, information indicating whether or not theposition is a mobile unit, the measurement system, etc.

Further, the position is actually defined in “poi” tags from the 11throw to the 17th row. Here, the latitude is designated by a lat tag ofthe 13th row, and the longitude is designated by a lon tag of the 14throw.

The “linkfile” tags from the 18th row to the 22nd row indicate theadditional information and additional data linked to the positiondefined in the eighth to 17th rows.

Here, as mentioned above, An example wherein the corresponding data isdefined by an “optional-media” link tag is shown.

The “optional-media” link is a description for defining a linkdestination for data in an externally connected medium and theinformation concerning that used in the case where the data to be linkedis data of an external apparatus connected via the control terminal,i-Link, or the like.

A detailed explanation will be made of this “optional-media” link.

This “optional-media” link is described by a format as shown in (1).<optional-media format=“format” id=“identification name” in=“startposition out=” stop position” repeat=“number of times ofreproduction”></optional-media>  (1)

As shown in (1), in the description of the “optional-media” link, fiveattributes of “format”, “id”, “in”, “out”, and “repeat” can bedescribed.

The attribute “format” is an attribute for designating the connectedapparatus and the format information thereof and is an indispensabledescription item of the “optional-media” link. As this attribute“format”, basically, any of the apparatus and format as shown in Table 1is described. It is also possible to newly define and use a link otherthan this. In this case, preferably the apparatus uses a clear string ofcharacters.

TABLE 1 Format Link destination media DVSDNT Consumer digital VCR, SDNTSC DVSDPAL Consumer digital VCR, SD PAL DVSDLNT Consumer digital VCR,SDL NTSC DVSDLPAL Consumer digital VCR, SDL PAL VHSNT VHS VIDEO NTSCVHSPAL VHS VIDEO PAL BETANT Beta VIDEO NTSC BETAPAL Beta VIDEO PAL 8MMNT8 mm VIDEO NTSC 8MMPAL 8 mm VIDEO PAL VHSCNT VHS-C VIDEO NTSC VHSCPALVHS-C VIDEO PAL DVB DVB transport stream DSS DSS transport stream DVDNTDVD VIDEO NTSC DVDPAL DVD VIDEO PAL CD Audio CD (CDDAudio MI) VCDPicture MD MD Cassette tape PMD FM radio TAPE AM radio FM Trafficinformation on radio AM Television TRAFFIC TV

The attribute “id” is an attribute for further specifying an object inthe connected apparatus designated by the format attribute and isdescribed according to need.

The specific description of the attribute “id” differs according to theconnected apparatus.

For example, when the connected apparatus is an apparatus handling amedium such as a cassette tape, video tape, and CD, this id attributedescribes the name and identification number of the medium as, forexample [id=“ID0000816”] and [id=“Seaside Music”].

Further, when the connected apparatus is a radio or television, this idattribute describes the name of the channel as, for example [id=“TVJAPAN”] and [id=“JAPAN FM”].

The attribute “in” and the attribute “out” are attributes fordesignating the reproduction start position and ending position of thedesignated data and are described according to need.

The specific descriptions of the attribute “in” and the attribute “out”differ according to the connected apparatus. For example, when thehandled object is a medium such as a cassette tape, “time:minute:second”is described, for example, [in=“0:15:20.00”].

Further, when the handled object is a medium such as a video tape,“time:minute:second:frame number” is described, for example[in=“0:32:10.00”].

Further, when the handled object is a medium including track informationsuch as an MD or CD, “track:minute:second:sector number” is described,for example, [in=“7:2:5:00”].

Further, when the handled object is a radio, television, etc., thechannel number and frequency are described by these “in” attribute and“out” attribute, for example [in=“CH9”] and [in=“79.00 Hz”].

The attribute “repeat” is an attribute for designating the number oftimes of reproduction and is described according to need. When it is notdescribed, the number of times of reproduction is set as 1. Further, bydesignating [repeat=“indefinite”], the reproduction is unlimitedlyrepeated so far as an activation condition is satisfied.

In the description of the 19th row and the 20th row of the positioninformation file of FIG. 3, “DVSDNT” is designated as the formatattribute. When referring to Table 1, it is seen that the NTSC signal ofthe SD system of the consumer digital VCR is connected as the handledobject in this medium.

Further, as the id attribute, “Travel for Kyushu No. 2” is designated,so it is learned that the type of this video tape is “Travel for KyushuNo. 2”.

Further, as the “in” attribute, “00:01:30:00”, that is, a time code of 1minute, 30 seconds, and frame number 0 is described. Then, the latitudeand longitude indicated by the “pos” tag described in the 12th row tothe 14th row and the data of the time code of the tape of this digitalVCR are linked by this.

This concludes the explanation of a position information file.

Next, an explanation will be made of the operation of the navigationsystem 100 by referring to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the navigationsystem 100.

First, when the display of position information is requested by thedriver via the operation button unit 115, the navigation system 100starts the navigation operation and the processing to provide thedesired information.

As the usual navigation operation, the GPS reception unit 122 receives aGPS signal, the gyro 123 detects the advancing direction etc. of thevehicle, and the CPU 111 calculates the position of the vehicle,advancing direction, advancing speed, etc. based on these received anddetected signals.

Then, the CPU 111 reads out the map information (position information)from the CD-ROM drive 119 via the CD-ROM controller 120 and displaysthis via the LCD controller 117 on the LCD 118.

Substantially parallel to the display of such position information, thenavigation system 100 searches for and displays the additionalinformation linked to the position in the displayed map.

Namely, first, it searches for the position information file to bedisplayed from the flash memory 132 of the memory stick 130 (step S11).

Next, it searches for an optional-media tag from the interior of thefile (step S12). When there is no optional-media tag, it displays theposition information on the LCD 118 as it is (step S13).

When there is an optional-media tag, it analyzes the described formatattribute and decides whether or not linkage to the described externaldata is possible (step S14).

When it is impossible to realize the link, it displays the positioninformation on the LCD 118 as it is (step S15). For example, when thereis the description of format=“VHSNT”, but a VHS video of the NTSC is notconnected etc., it is impossible to realize the link, so the positioninformation will be displayed on the LCD 118 as it is.

When it is decided that the link with the designated external data ispossible, the fact that the link is possible is displayed to the user atthe LCD 118 (step S16). Specifically, “MOVIE” etc. is displayed as shownin for example FIG. 5 at the linked position and it is informed to theuser that some sort of additional information linked to that locationexists.

Then, when the user selects this “MOVIE”, it is regarded that thecondition for activating the link is satisfied (step S17) and the linkis started based on the information of the optional-media tag (stepS19).

In the position information file shown in FIG. 3, id=“Travel for KyushuNo. 2” is described. Therefore the name of the cassette inserted in theDVCR 140 is confirmed. If it is different, the insertion of a correcttape is requested to the user. Then, when the correct tape is inserted,according to the description of in=“00:01:30:00”, reproduction isstarted from the position of that time code.

This reproduced image can be viewed via the DVCR 140, but can also bedisplayed on the LCD 118 via the DV-IF unit 121 and the LCD controller117.

Note that when the user did not select “MOVIE” at step S17, the positioninformation is displayed as it is regarding that the condition foractivating the link is not satisfied (step S18).

The navigation system 100 sequentially repeats such processing of thenavigation and the link information display.

This concludes the explanation of the operation of the navigation system100.

In this way, in the navigation system 100 of the present embodiment, bydescribing the position information file of the format and content asshown in FIG. 3, the DVCR 140, more generally the apparatus connected bythe control terminal or i-Link terminal, can be easily linked.

As a result, in the navigation system 100, it becomes possible tocentrally manage the data of a variety of formats and easily utilizethis.

Further, in the navigation system 100, when starting the link, itbecomes possible to confirm whether or not data is really data which canbe linked or whether or not a linkage state has been exhibited byreferring to the content etc. of the “format” tag. This consequentlymeans that various states of various apparatuses and data can besuitably coped with and further promotes central management andutilization of the data by such a method.

Further, at the part of the description of the “optional-media” link inthe format of the position information file mentioned above, the idattribute of the case where the connected apparatus is a radio,television, etc. describes the name of the broadcast station such as[id=“TV JAPAN”] or [id=“JAPAN MI”]. Here, the TV channel and frequencyare not described. As a result, even if the allocation and frequency ofa TV channel change due to the change of the used position, it is notnecessary to change the description of the position information file, sothis is preferred.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the presentembodiment. Any of various suitable modifications are possible.

For example, in the above embodiment, when executing the link with theexternal data, an inquiry is made to the user for confirmation, but theinvention is not limited to such an operation.

For example, when the position of the vehicle is near the correspondingposition, the link can be unconditionally executed without confirmationof the user. The details of such a routine corresponding to theprocessing of step S17 of the flow chart shown in FIG. 4 can be freelychanged by changing the setting of the CPU 111 analyzing the positioninformation file or the decode portion of each device controller evenfor the same position information file. Any setting is possible in thisway.

However, on the other hand, it is also possible to clearly setprocessing for automatically executing a link without inquiry to theuser without depending upon processing of the CPU 111 or devicecontroller.

An example of such a setting of the position information file is shownin FIG. 6.

The “activate-condition” tags shown in the 21st to the 26th rows of FIG.6 are tags for automatically executing the link.

Namely, an outer circumference of the range which a function reaches isdefined by the “outmost” tag of the 23rd row, while an innercircumference of the range which the function reaches is defined by the“inmost” tag of the 24th row. The center is the position designated bythe “pos” tag.

Accordingly, the position information file shown in FIG. 6 becomes adescription where the activation condition becomes true in all of anarea within a radius of 500 meters from a position of north latitude35.6778 degrees and east longitude 139.7686 degrees indicated by the“pos” tag. The link is executed within this range.

Note that, this condition becomes the condition examined at step S17 ofthe flow chart shown in FIG. 4.

As a result, when the vehicle reaches this set area, the video isautomatically reproduced. When the vehicle goes out of the area, thedisplay is automatically terminated.

In this way, by using the “activate-condition” tag, the link can beautomatically activated too.

Further, in the above embodiment, the DVCR 140 was shown as the externalinformation apparatus, and it was shown that data provided by this couldbe suitably referred to by the position information file. However, theexternal information apparatus is not limited to this. It is alsopossible to handle any apparatus.

For example, a navigation system 100 b shown in FIG. 7 is configuredwith an AM/FM/TV tuner 125, MD interface 126, and an MD drive 150further added to the navigation system 100.

The navigation system 100 b having such a configuration can be linked toa larger number of apparatuses or signals of a DVCR, CD, audio MD, FMradio, AM radio, television broadcast, and so on.

Further, it becomes possible to prepare position information data, forexample, which automatically turns on the switch of the AM radio andtunes in a channel when the vehicle enters an area where information isbroadcast or plays specific music when the vehicle approaches a certainlocation.

Further, particularly in the part of the description of the“optional-media” link in the format of the position information filementioned above, the id attribute of the case where the connectedapparatus is a radio, television, etc. described the name of thechannel, for example [id=“TV JAPAN”] and [id=“JAPAN FM”]. However, it isalso possible to describe the channel number, frequency, etc. here.

Note, in that case, when the allocation and the frequency of the TVchannel change due to a change of the used position, it is necessary toalso change the description of the position information file.

Further, in all of the above embodiments, a vehicle mounted navigationsystem was exemplified, but the present invention is not limited tothis. For example, it is also possible to apply the present invention tothe control of video data from a personal computer or the like orbroadcast waves.

Further, in the above embodiments, position information files werestored in the memory stick 130, but the memory stick 130 is notnecessary. It is also possible to store the position information filesin any portable storage medium or a not illustrated memory unit in thenavigation system 100.

Further, in the above embodiments, the image obtained from the DVCR 140was displayed on the LCD 118. However, the gist of the present inventionresides in that the DVCR 140 is controlled by the navigation apparatus110 to output the desired data. The destination thereof is not limitedto the navigation apparatus 110. Namely, so far as the DVCR 140 is anapparatus having a display unit in the first place, it is also possibleto display a selected image on the display unit of the DVCR 140. Thiscorresponds to the case where the AM/FM/TV tuner 125 is controlled bythe control from the navigation apparatus 100 b in the navigation system100 b shown in FIG. 7 and audio is output from the AM/FM/TV tuner 125.Such a mode is also within the scope of the present invention.

Further, in the above embodiments, a position information file wasanalyzed in the CPU 111 and converted to commands adapted to each devicecontroller which were then supplied to each device controller. However,it is also possible if the CPU 111 merely analyzes only the requiredportion of the “optional-media” link of the position information file,appropriately transmits the description to the device controllers,analyzes the required portion of the “optional-media” link at eachdevice controller side, converts this to a code adapted for controllingthe signal processing apparatus controlled by itself, and performs thecontrol.

In this way, according to the present invention, it is possible toprovide a control method of a signal processing apparatus and a signalprocessing apparatus making it possible to easily link, manage, and usein a desired mode video data and television signals and other signalshandled in a signal processing apparatus connected by for example acontrol terminal or i-Link and usually not managed by the file system.

Further, a signal processing apparatus for easily linking, centrallymanaging, and using in a desired mode various signals handled in such asignal processing apparatus can be provided.

Further, a machine readable storage medium storing control informationof a signal processing apparatus for easily linking, centrally managing,and utilizing data in a desired mode can be provided.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be widely used for technology enabling easycontrol and use of various signal processing apparatuses for processingsignals which are not usually managed in a file system.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An information processing method for afirst information processing apparatus, the method comprising:receiving, by the first information processing apparatus, inputgeographical position information indicative of a current position froma positioning system; retrieving first data based on the inputgeographical position information; displaying, by the first informationprocessing apparatus, the first data; obtaining a specific boundaryabout a location from pre-set positional information; retrieving seconddata corresponding to first geographical position information differentfrom the input geographical position information by automaticallyexecuting a link to a data source external to the first informationprocessing apparatus and automatically displaying the second data by thefirst information processing apparatus when the current position iswithin the specific boundary of the location; and automaticallyterminating display of the second data when the second data is currentlybeing displayed upon the current position no longer being within thespecific boundary of the location, such that the display of the seconddata is provided only while the current position corresponding to thereceived input geographical position information is within the specificboundary of the location, wherein the pre-set positional information isincluded in a position information file, the position information fileincludes a description of the link, and the description of the linkcomprises a data format description which designates the external datasource and a signal format of the second data from the external datasource, in which the automatically executing the link to the externaldata source is based on a determination from the data format descriptionwhether linkage to the second data is possible.
 2. The informationprocessing method according to claim 1, wherein the second data isdisplayed linked to a second position corresponding to the firstgeographical position information.
 3. The information processing methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the second data includes second positioninformation.
 4. The information processing method according to claim 3,wherein the displaying displays a mark of the input geographicalposition information, the mark showing advancing direction.
 5. Theinformation processing method according to claim 3, wherein the seconddata corresponds to image data.
 6. The information processing methodaccording to claim 5, wherein the image data is movie data.
 7. Theinformation processing method according to claim 6, wherein the firstdata is map data.
 8. The information processing method according toclaim 5, wherein the image data is retrieved from at least one externaldevice.
 9. The information processing method according to claim 8,wherein the at least one external device includes at least two externaldevices.
 10. A signal processing apparatus comprising: a positioninformation receiving unit to receive input geographical positioninformation indicative of a current position from a positioning system;a display unit; and a data retrieving and control unit to obtain aspecific boundary about a location from pre-set positional information,retrieve second data corresponding to first geographical positioninformation different from the input geographical position informationby automatically executing a link to a data source external to thesignal processing apparatus and automatically displaying on the displayunit the second data when the current position is within the specificboundary of the location, and automatically terminating display of thesecond data when the second data is currently being displayed on thedisplay device upon the current position being no longer within thespecific boundary of the location, such that the display of the seconddata on the display unit is provided only while the current positioncorresponding to the received input geographical position information iswithin the specific boundary of the location, wherein the pre-setpositional information is included in a position information file, theposition information file includes a description of the link, and thedescription of the link comprises a data format description whichdesignates the external data source and a signal format of the seconddata from the external data source, in which the automatically executingthe link to the external data source is based on a determination fromthe data format description whether linkage to the second data ispossible.
 11. A non-transitory recording medium recorded with a programexecutable by a computer, the program comprising: receiving inputgeographical position information indicative of a current position froma positioning system; retrieving first data based on the inputgeographical position information; displaying the first data; obtaininga specific boundary about a location from pre-set positionalinformation; retrieving second data corresponding to first geographicalposition information different from the input geographical positioninformation by automatically executing a link to an external data sourceand automatically causing display of the second data when the currentposition is within the specific boundary of the location; andautomatically causing termination of display of the second data when thesecond data is currently being displayed upon the current position nolonger within the specific boundary of the location, such that thedisplay of the second data is provided only while the current positioncorresponding to the received input geographical position information iswithin the specific boundary of the location, wherein the pre-setpositional information is included in a position information file, theposition information file includes a description of the link, and thedescription of the link comprises a data format description whichdesignates the external data source and a signal format of the seconddata from the external data source, in which the automatically executingthe link to the external data source is based on a determination fromthe data format description whether linkage to the second data ispossible.